366 vs the 355/356

[buster53]

g36, I took a look at the 405/406 and it is a good looking boat. I'm really leaning towards gas power and the 356 should do fine on 7.4's and even better on 8.1's. The size and weight of the 405 pretty much demands diesel.

[Lyndon670]

Thanks g36. I'm sure the 405/406 is a much better boat, but I would prefer to stay in the 356 size range for a number of reasons.
The Cruisers 3650/3750 ( basically the same boat) is really my number #1 choice, but used inventory is very limited and will probably cost an extra 15-20% more than a similar condition/year Carver 356. Those are the top 2 on my short list and I really don't want to go any bigger

We looked long and hard before buying our 506, and a Cruisers 455 was high on our list. The one thing I couldn't get past is that Cruisers still uses coring material below the waterline.

Food for thought.

[buster53]

Thanks Lyndon, good to know

[km1125]

Is there a write-up anywhere of all the various Carver models and how they relate to one another? Somewhat of a good "Wiki" page or at least a lot better than the current Carver Yachts Wiki?

Something like this for each model:

"The 3007, 3207, 3607 models are all aft cabin layouts with similar design. They use semi-displacement hulls and will cruise economically below hull speed or just above planing speed. They will typically have a cruise speed of 20-22 MPH and a top speed of 26-28MPH. The 3607 was replaced by the 355 and and 356 in subsequent years (1990 and 1998, respectively) and then the 366 in 2002. While the 355 and 356 share the same hull and have a 'conventional' superstructure look. The 355 modified the salon layout to a more open design based on the "B" interior of the 3607. The 356 also incorporated the non-encapulated stringers and a standard hard top over the aft cabin". The 366 superstructure migrated to the European design, but still is built on the same hull."

(btw, I have no idea if all that is accurate, I was just making it up as I went along)

[buster53]

Another question regarding the 356...
they all come with Kohler gensets. Do they come from the factory with raw or fresh water cooling. I would hope FWC.

[tomschauer]

It depends engine package it was ordered with. Some are raw water, some are fresh. The generator was also an option, although most have it.

[buster53]

Source of the post Kind of an older thread....
After looking at both the 356 and 366, I'm seriously leaning towards the 356 as my next boat.
On the 366, I don't care for the instrument panel, the short stubby foredeck and the downward slant of the foredeck looks kind of dangerous. Also, not a fan of the new, Eurostyle type of boat. Prefer the more traditional 356 style.

Just an update...
We do have a 356 under contract and survey is next week. Wish us luck.
All you 355/356 owners, anything specific I should tell my surveyor to look at?

[mjk1040]

Aft 120 gallon aux. fuel tank. They are v bottom and tend to rust out from the inside. Its a $5K+ job to replace them. If you don't need the extra fuel capacity you can just decommission it. Unfortanilty your surveyor has no way to check this. If all the previous owners kept this tank full, especially when it was wintered up you may be fine.

[Viper]

Good luck, hope it works out for you.

[buster53]

Source of the post Aft 120 gallon aux. fuel tank. They are v bottom and tend to rust out from the inside. Its a $5K+ job to replace them. If you don't need the extra fuel capacity you can just decommission it. Unfortanilty your surveyor has no way to check this. If all the previous owners kept this tank full, especially when it was wintered up you may be fine.

From the very beginning of this boat search, boat buying process, that aft fuel tank has been my biggest concern. My plan is to have a nice chat with my surveyor about it and we will make sure to use that tank for at least part of the sea trial to make sure it's not old, stale gas. I'm hoping the current owner used it enough to have decent fuel replenishment.